NVTC Supports STEM Jobs Legislation to Promote Innovation, Investment and Research in the United States

NVTC has joined a coalition of more than 100 technology councils, chambers of commerce, industry associations, and other organizations and companies nationwide to support the STEM Jobs Act of 2012 (HR 6429), which the U.S. House of Representatives passed on Nov. 30 with bipartisan support. The Act will amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to make up to 55,000 visas available to qualified immigrants to promote innovation, investment and research in the United States.

For the Commonwealth, this means students who come to America seeking advanced degrees from Virginia’s world-class universities will have the opportunity to stay here and contribute to our economy. For example, in Virginia 40 percent of 2009 science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates were foreign students. Current immigration rules prevent these STEM graduates from making the Commonwealth their home.

NVTC commends Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, for sponsoring this House legislation, Rep. Bob Goodlatte, of Virginia for co-sponsoring, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor for championing the bill, and Virginia Reps. J. Randy Forbes, Robert Hurt, Morgan Griffith, Jim Moran, Scott Rigell, Rob Wittman and Frank Wolf for their support of this measure.